Oasis Hospital set to open new facility next year

In a ceremony to celebrate the completion of the new hospital’s structure on Monday, Printy underscored the importance of the new building in continuing Oasis’ high level of service for the community of Al Ain in the past 50 years.

For the past 50 years, the hospital has overseen the births of over 90,000 babies including several members of the royal family, such as Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

As part of the hospital redevelopment, the old buildings will be demolished to make way for the entrance to the new hospital.

The original hospital building, which was built in 1960, will however remain standing to become part of the historical sites of Al Ain.

“This is a gift from the royal family,” indicated Printy during the ‘Topping off Ceremony’ at the building site behind the existing hospital.

“Our goal is to have some of our departments move into the new building by December of this year and we hope that we’ll see our first patient in the new hospital sometime next February or March,” said Printy, noting that the move will be planned, without disrupting patient care.

When fully completed, the new Oasis Hospital will have the capacity to treat 18,000 outpatients per month, admit 12,000 patients annually and deliver 4,000 babies per year compared to the current 7,700 inpatients and 3,000 deliveries.

The hospital’s 50 beds will more than double to 110 with the new 45,000 sqm facility. It will also have specialised clinics in orthopaedic, ophthalmology, diabetes management and will offer more expanded surgery services.

Oasis Hospital was established in 1960 by missionary doctors Pat and Marian Kennedy, providing the first modern healthcare in the region. At that time, infant mortality rate was 50 per cent and maternal mortality rate was 35 per cent.

Irish Ambassador to the UAE Ciaran Madden and representatives from the Abu Dhabi Executive Council were also present at the ceremony.

olivia@khaleejtimes.com